Hollow-clay structural unit



May 18 1 26,

O. C. M CORMICK HOLLOW CLAY STRUCTURAL UNIT Original Filed August 1. 1921 r ATTORNEY Patented May 18, 192533.

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OSCAR C. MCCORMICK, OF CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OHIO; MA'UDE XV. MCCORMICK AD- MINISTRATRIX OF SAID OSCAR C. MCCORMICK, DECEASED.

HOLLOW-CLAY STRUCTURAL UNIT.

Application filed August 1, 1921, Serial No. 488,763.

The present improved structural unit is on the order of a hollow block and will be preferably formed of clay, although any plastic material capable of being formedby an extrusion process may be utilized. The object of the present invention is to so form the faces of building blocks or tile of the type referred to that the mortar joints will not extend entirely across the juxtaposed faces of blocks lying in successive courses. ()n the contrary air spaces are provided entirely separating the mortar that is exposed on the inner faces of the wall from that of the outer face. As a result the tendency for water or moisture to pass from the outer to the inner face of the mortar joint is practically eliminated and plaster applied to the inner face of the wall will not be discolored or show such joints. reason of the additional air spaces provided, the wall is correspondingly insulated against the passage of heat or cold.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claim, the annexed drawing and the following description setting forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a hollow block or tile embodying my improved construction, such block being of full wall width; Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but illustrating a half width block; Fig. 3 is a transverse section through two blocks of the construction of Fig. 1 superposed as in a wall; Fig. 4 is a view similar to that of Fig. 3, but illustrating the narrower block shown in Fig. 2 superposed in a wall; and Fig. 5 is a broken side elevation of several courses of my improved block as laid in a wall.

In the case of both forms of the block illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, respectively, the vertical and longitudinal dimensions are the same and correspond with established standards in block manufacture; while in the case of such first form the block is of full wall width, such width corresponding with the longitudinal dimension just referred to, and

At the same time, by-

Renewed October 28, 1925.

in the case of the form illustrated in Fig. 2 such width is just one-half of such longitudinal dimension, or one-half the width of the wall. In both cases. the block is of rectangular form save for certain corrugations, as will be presently described.

Thus in the form of block A, illustrated in Fig. 1, it will be observed that the top and bottom walls belly inwardly from lines removed approximately one-third the total width of the block from the respective sides of the latter so as to form shallowlongitudinally extending depressions or grooves 1. These grooves are bounded on their lateral edges by ribs 2, constituting mortar stops, and the remaining portion of the face in question lying without such stops is on a slightly lower level and formed with mortar-retaining grooves or channels 3. For the purpose of reinforcement the interior of the block, instead of being entirely hollow is formed with two longitudinally extending walls or partitions & that are preferably disposed in alignment with the mortar stops 2; while one or both of the side faces of the block may be provided with corrugations or scorings 5 adapted to interlock with a plaster coating if applied to such face upon assembly of the block into a wall, the corrugations 5 being shown in the drawing on one side only of the block.

In thus assembling theblock the courses are laid in the usual fashion, as illustrated in Fig. 5, but the mortar being confined to the spaces between the stops 2 and the respective sides of the block, the two opposed depressions 1 will leave a longitudinally extending air chamber throughout the length of the course, as shown in Fig. 3. It thus becomes impossible for the mortar joint to sweat through and discolor the plaster on the inner face of the wall, while the additional air chamber thus provided further insulates the wall as previously pointed out.

111 the case of the narrower block B, shown in Figs. 2 and t, the longitudinally extending grooves or depressions 7 in the top and bottom walls of the block are narrower, but they are bounded by mortar stops 8 just as before, and in other respects the construction of the block is identical with that of the wider block A, save for the fact that a single interior wall or partition 9 will here provide adequate reinforcement. As shown in the transverse sectional view of Fig. A, the result when the narrower block is assembled into a wall is the provision of a longitudinally extending air chamber in tne joint between successive courses that etl'ectuall separates the inner and outer portions of the mortar joint in the first construction.

My improred block presents no spec'al ditiiculties in manufacture, but ma he made just as expeditiously and cheaply as ordi nary rectangular building block or tile, while the laying up of the Wall is, ii anything, facilitated. In particular it should he noted that a considerably smaller quantity oi mortar is required for the joints hot teen courses, and in a Wall of any size the saving in ma terial thus accomplished is a Very important fat-"or, as need not he t'u ther pointed out.

it much more important saving, however, is that due to the increased strength or load hearing capacity of my improved design of block. Thlis it has been ionnd by actual compression tests that a block of such design made of tire clay coi'itaining approximately 15 percent less material hf weight than i selected shale hollow l l.clt will sustain a 1 50 percent greater.

load at leas L,

Other forms ma be employed embodying the features of my invention instead of those here explained, change being made in the form or construction, provided the elements stated by the following claim or the equivalent of such stated elements be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention z A structural unit of the character described, comprising a hollow block formed with a longitudinalh: extending opening and having its top and hottom surtaces prox'ided \Yltll centrally located longitudinal grooves, longitudinall extending fiat ribs bounding the lateral edges of said grooves, said rihs bein raised from said surfaces and adapted to form mortar stops, and two loz itudinmiy extending reinforcing partition, in approximate alignment with said rihs on the top and bottom surfaces of the block prmidin;- lateral pcnings on either side of said longitudinally extendingcentre. opening and strengthening: Said unit adjacent its longitudinal side faces.

Signed by me. this 29th day of Juli. 1921.

Os ar: C. iicconn'ioit. 

